Here we are having returned from Tha Gambia after our April 2008 visit. Needless to say we had a brilliant time and were yet again made so welcome by the villagers of Penyem. We visited Penyem on a Saturday which allowed all of the villagers the opportunity to join in the celebrations. We were met by drummers and dancers and a guard of honour of 50 young children who were singing and waving flags.We were able to tell the villagers that the number of sponsored children has now risen to 61 in total, and we thank all the sponsors again for their generousity. We have encountered a problem with the sponsorship agreements. Last year the fees were calculated at 50 Delasis to the £. The rate has fallen recently so we worked on 44 Delasis to the £ - in fact the best we can do is 35 Delasis. This means the cost per year has risen, but our list of sponsors have stuck with us - thanks! To sponsor the youngest child the fees are currently £40, middle age children are £80 and the senior children are £110. We still beleive this is a small price to pay for a year's education. We still need to find sponsors for 7 additional children - 4 older ones and 3 youngers ones. Get in touch! ajb1@ntlworld.com